Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan is expected to start the U.S. national team’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers and will be backed up by Real Salt Lake’s Nick Rimando, U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said Wednesday.

With Tim Howard sidelined by broken ribs, a new U.S. netminder was a given. Howard had started each of the seven qualifiers in the current cycle and 19 of the past 25, along with all four games at the 2010 World Cup.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan is expected to start the U.S. national team’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers. (AP Photo)

Guzan, 28, backed up Howard in South Africa and has re-emerged as a national team candidate after taking over as Villa’s starter this season. He hasn’t played for the U.S. since May and hasn’t started for the national team since November 2010, when Bob Bradley was the coach. The Chicagoland native has made 20 international appearances.

Rimando, 33, has the experience to handle a qualifier and has played well for the U.S. when called upon, most notably in an exhibition in Panama early last year. The two-time MLS Cup champion has six caps.

Klinsmann was speaking in Chicago at a news conference connected to this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament. His comments were reported by MLSSoccer.com.

The manager added that he’s considering both Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire) and Bill Hamid (D.C. United) for the roster’s third goalie spot. He’s called up both up-and-coming players but preferred Johnson in January, when the Fire ‘keeper finished off camp with a starting role in the 0-0 draw with Canada.

The U.S. (0-1-0) will host Costa Rica (0-0-1) at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park outside Denver on March 22 then travel to Mexico City for a showdown with Mexico (0-0-1) on March 26 at the Estadio Azteca.